On 13 July 2026, European Commissioner Dubravka Šuica delivered a video message to the 6th ELIAMEP-ACG Summer Academy, emphasising the importance of empowering the next generation of EU leaders and diplomats. In her address, Šuica highlighted the EU's proactive foreign policy approach, particularly through the Pact for the Mediterranean, which she described as a practical framework to create a common Mediterranean space based on co-creation and joint responsibility.
Šuica outlined several concrete initiatives under the Pact, including connecting universities across the region, establishing a youth parliamentary assembly, investing in renewables and the blue economy, and developing maritime trade infrastructure. She also mentioned crisis management tools such as a Mediterranean Firefighting Hub, law enforcement cooperation against organised crime, and measures to tackle human smuggling while providing legal migration pathways. The Commissioner stressed that Europe cannot prosper when its neighbours are in crisis, underscoring the need for cooperation with partners in the Gulf region and beyond.
The speech contained specific proposals, including the creation of a youth parliamentary assembly and a Mediterranean Firefighting Hub, but lacked numerical targets, deadlines, or budget figures. Šuica's remarks were largely declarative, reaffirming the EU's role as a reliable partner and calling for proactive engagement. The policy orientation shifts towards a more conciliatory and cooperative approach with Mediterranean and Gulf partners, emphasising joint responsibility and people-to-people contacts.
The Pact for the Mediterranean could benefit EU youth and civil society through increased exchange programmes and a parliamentary assembly, fostering cross-cultural understanding. EU businesses in renewables and blue economy sectors may gain new investment opportunities in the region. However, EU member states may face additional financial contributions to support the Pact's initiatives, and law enforcement agencies could see increased operational demands in combating organised crime and human smuggling. The impact on EU taxpayers is indirect, as funding details were not specified. Overall, the speech signals a moderate shift towards deeper EU engagement in the Mediterranean, with potential positive effects on regional stability and economic cooperation, but without immediate binding commitments or measurable targets.